The Currie Cup is set to come to a thrilling conclusion in Johannesburg on Saturday when the Lions and Sharks XV meet in the final – the first title decider between these two teams since 2011.
A quick glance into the history of the Currie Cup successes for these two teams, sees the Joburg outfit leading their east coast rivals by 11 titles (once shared) to eight, while during the past 10 years the Durbanites have appeared in four finals, one more than their rivals.
There will certainly be plenty of interest in how matters play out on Saturday, with very little to choose between these two sides.
KEEP TRACK OF THE SHARKS-LIONS LIVE SCORING IN THE CURRIE CUP FINAL
Meanwhile, Saturday’s big occasion will be refereed by Morne Ferreira who is set to take the whistle in his first Currie Cup Final. He will be assisted by Griffin Colby and Stephan Geldenhuys on the sidelines, while Egon Seconds will do duty as the television match official.
Last 10 Carling Currie Cup Finals:
2023: Toyota Cheetahs 25-17 Airlink Pumas
2022: Airlink Pumas 26-19 Suzuki Griquas
2021: Vodacom Bulls 44-10 Hollywoodbets Sharks
2020: Vodacom Bulls 26-19 Hollywoodbets Sharks (after extra time)
2019: Toyota Cheetahs 31-28 Fidelity ADT Lions
2018: Hollywoodbets Sharks 17-12 DHL Western Province
2017: DHL Western Province 33-21 Hollywoodbets Sharks
2016: Toyota Cheetahs 36-16 Vodacom Bulls
2015: Fidelity ADT Lions 32-24 DHL Western Province
2014: DHL Western Province 19-16 Fidelity ADT Lions
Team news
Mziwakhe Nkosi (head coach) has made only one change to the Lions starting team from the semi-final, with Sanele Nohamba coming in at flyhalf for Kade Wolhuter, who moves down to the bench.
Sharks XV head coach John Plumtree has largely stuck with last week’s semi-final team, making just two changes, one amongst the forwards and the other in the backline.
Emmanuel Tshituka will start at No 8 after playing off the bench last week, while Jurenzo Julius returns at outside centre to partner with Springbok Andre Esterhuizen in the midfield.
Lions: 15 Quan Horn, 14 Rabz Maxwane, 13 Rynhardt Jonker, 12 Marius Louw, 11 Tapiwa Mafura, 10 Sanele Nohamba, 9 Nico Steyn, 8 Jarod Cairns, 7 Ruan Venter, 6 Renzo du Plessis, 5 Darrien-Lane Landsberg, 4 Ruben Schoeman, 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 2 Jaco Visagie (captain), 1 Morgan Naude
Substitutes: 16 Morne Brandon, 17 Juan Schoeman, 18 Conrad van Vuuren, 19 Siba Qoma, 20 Raynard Roets, 21 JC Pretorius, 22 Kade Wolhuter, 23 Kelly Mpeku
Sharks: 15 Jordan Hendrikse, 14 Eduan Keyter, 13 Jurenzo Julius, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Ethan Hooker, 10 Siya Masuku, 9 Bradley Davids, 8 Emmanuel Tshituka, 7 Vincent Tshituka (captain), 6 James Venter, 5 Emile van Heerden, 4 Corne’ Rahl, 3 Hanro Jacobs, 2 Fez Mbatha, 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu.
Substitutes: 16 Dylan Richardson, 17 Trevor Nyakane, 18 Mawande Mdanda, 19 Jason Jenkins, 20 Gerbrandt Grobler, 21 Tinotenda Mavesere, 22 Tian Meyer, 23 Lionel Cronje.
Match information: 2024 Carling Currie Cup Final
Fidelity ADT Lions vs Hollywoodbets Sharks XV
Venue: Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg
Date: Saturday 21 September
Time: 16h00
Referee: Morne Ferreira
TV: SS Rugby
Tickets: Click here
If the scores are level after the playing time of the final, the winning team will be determined as follows:
- the team to have scored the greatest number of points after extra time; and if the score is still level.
- the team to have achieved the higher log position after the completion of the group stage matches.
“Extra time” means an additional 20 minutes, divided into two halves of 10 minutes each with a one minute break in between each half.
WHO DO YOU THINK WILL WALK AWAY WITH THE DOMESTIC TROPHY?
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